Sunday, March 8, 2009

"Police estimate that up to 6,000 demonstrators have joined a march in Malmö to protest against the ongoing Davis Cup match between Sweden and Israel in the city.Malmö calm as Davis Cup gets underway (7 Mar 09)Crowd ban 'risks bolstering extremists' (7 Mar 09)Davis Cup protests underway in Malmö (6 Mar 09) There are reported to be some 200 masked demonstrators at the back of the march and police confirm that the otherwise peaceful march was disrupted by incidents involving paint bombs, fireworks and Bengal lights.Several of the masked, black-clad hooligans rushed the barriers holding demonstrators away from the Baltisk Hallen arena where the match is taking place.The first day of competition in the Davis Cup first round match passed off calmly and none of the forecast trouble and fighting occurred. But police took no chances on Saturday with up to 1,000 officers on duty.Saturday's march is being marshalled closely by a large police presence including a helicopter escort.Rumours that neo-nazi and other extremist groups intend to infiltrate the march have kept police on alert.The controversy over the match has been building for weeks and gathered pace when local politicians ordered that the match to be played behind closed doors.Former Green party leader Per Gahrton claimed that the decision had already given demonstrators some success."We have been helped by brave politicians in Malmö. We thank them for that," Gahrton said......."